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Two new resources on the use of e-cigarettes during pregnancy have been launched to help midwives in their consultations with women.
An infographic and a briefing has been produced by the Smoking in Pregnancy Challenge Group, which is a partnership of stakeholders, including the RCM, that is coordinated by public health charity, Action on Smoking and Health.
The resources were developed in response to midwives and health visitors being asked for advice on e-cigarette use.
The briefing for health professionals addresses some of the most frequently asked questions and the infographic has been designed to be used in consultations with women who have expressed an interest in using e-cigarettes to quit smoking.
The documents say that, although not completely risk-free, electronic cigarettes carry a fraction of the risk of smoking for users, with no known risks to bystanders and that e-cigarettes contain no carbon monoxide.
Licensed nicotine replacement products, combined with specialist help from a trained stop smoking advisor, remains the recommended option but, if a pregnant woman chooses to use an e-cigarette to help her to stay smoke free, she should not be discouraged.
The resources are based on existing evidence on the use of e-cigarettes contained in a 2015 independent review that was commissioned by Public Health England. The Challenge Group has moved this forward to look at how it is likely to apply in the context of pregnancy.
The RCM has also launched an online training module on i-learn entitled Very brief advice on smoking for pregnant women.
Copies of the infographic and briefing for health professionals are available on the Challenge Group’s website. If you have any questions or would like to be notified when hard copies of the document are available, email sarah.fox@rcm.org.uk
The Smoking in Pregnancy Challenge Group will be hosting a webinar on the use of e-cigarettes in pregnancy for midwives on the morning of 11 January (10am-11am).
Linda Bauld, professor of health policy at the University of Sterling, will be giving a presentation on the implications of e-cigarette use in pregnancy.
For midwives wishing to sign up to the webinar, name, job title and organisation should be emailed to admin@smokefreeaction.org.uk. Further details will then be sent out.
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